2021 US Open prize money: Record purse, but winners’ cheque reduced while qualifiers, others get boost

US Open

The 2021 US Open prize money has hit a record $57.5 million (£41.8m) with players who lose in the earlier rounds and qualifiers receiving a big financial shot in the arm.

This year’s overall prize pool is considerably up on the $53.4m from the coronavirus-hit 2020 tournament while it is also $500,000 up from the record $57m from 2019.

While the overall pool is up, the winners’ cheque has been reduced significantly with the men’s and women’s champions taking home $2.5m compared to the $3m in 2020 and $3.85m in 2019. The champion’s purse is the lowest amount since 2012 when they received $1.9 million each.

 

The runners-up will receive $1.25m compared to $1.5m last year and $1.9m in 2019 while the semi-finalists will each receive $675,000.

Players losing in the earlier rounds will get an increase as those who exit in the first round will receive $75,000 – a 23 per cent increase compared to last year – while second-round prize money rises from $100,000 to $115,000.

There will also be $6m in prize money on offer during the qualifying tournament – which runs from August 24-27. It marks a 66 per cent increase from 2019. There was no qualifying event in 2020 due to Covid-19.

“With the US Open’s greatest return —fans on-site and full draws across all competitions — we know that 2021 will be an historic year for this great tournament” Stacey Allaster, Chief Executive, Professional Tennis and US Open Tournament Director, said.

“We determined our round-by-round prize money allocations by engaging in an open dialogue with the players and the management of both tours. We applaud their collective leadership in directing the 2021 US Open prize money to benefit the maximum number of players.”

2021 US Open prize money

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